NJDOT Publishes List of Roads to go to 65 MPH

Transportation Commissioner John J. Haley Jr. today announced that, pursuant to P.L. 1997, Chapter 415, the speed limit on 475 miles of highway on New Jersey’s interstate, state and toll road systems will be raised to 65 miles per hour beginning May 19. As required by law, a list of the segments of roads on which the speed limit will be raised to 65 mph will be published later this week in newspapers across the state. The number of road miles and the specific highways designated were developed in consultation with the Legislature.

"New Jersey is a densely populated state and our roads can become congested. As we get ready to implement this trial program next month, safety will be our paramount concern," said Governor Christie Whitman. "We are taking a thoughtful, sensible approach to increasing speed limits on a trial basis. Motorists need to know that enforcement will play a crucial role in determining the trial program’s success and that penalties are sharply increased for speeding in a 65 mph zone."

"I believe we have developed a good sample of roads in which we can test the efficacy of a 65 mph speed limit. Our primary objectives in selecting these road segments were safety and driver convenience," Haley said. "We looked at only controlled access highways that were modern, had appropriate traffic volumes and are designed to handle a speed of 65 mph. I would like to thank the staff on the internal task force I established and those task force members from outside agencies for their hard work and expertise in helping us arrive at this list."

"We are committed to enforcing all laws and will continue to do so," said Attorney General Peter Verniero. "State Police and the rest of the law enforcement community will be poised and ready to enforce the new speed limit when it takes effect."

Roadways effected by the trial program include: Route 18, Route 55, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-287, I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway. A list of the specific road segments to be included is attached.

Under the law, the public may submit written comments to the NJDOT on the 65 mph trial program during the next 30 days. Those comments may be sent to: